Troops of the Nigerian Army and the Kogi Vigilance Service (KSVS) have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition in the state.
The operation took place on Wednesday in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area, during a follow-up offensive against fleeing criminals.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Lokoja.
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Abdullahi said that the operation was conducted in continuation of earlier raid and exploitation operations in Edimogbo Forest against suspected kidnappers operating within the area.
He said that the joint team extended its search from Edimogbo Forest towards the general area of Obele Forest in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the suspected kidnappers, who attempted to escape upon sighting the security forces.
“The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of three suspected kidnappers.
“Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three bandoliers and an identity card,” he said.
He said that the successful operation underscored the sustained operational pressure being mounted by troops against criminal elements in Kogi.
He also said that the success was achieved through continuous offensive operations, intelligence-driven patrols and effective exploitation of identified criminal hideouts.
The spokesman added that the continued dominance of the general area was aimed at denying kidnappers freedom of action and restoring confidence among residents of the affected communities.
The Commander, 12 Composite Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, commended the troops and personnel of the KSVS for their resilience, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
Sidi urged them to sustain the momentum and remain vigilant in ensuring that criminal elements were denied safe havens within the brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AoR).
He reassured the people of Kogi and environs of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
The commander urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that troops had on Tuesday neutralised two suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles and thousands of ammunition rounds in Edimogbo Forest.
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